Andhra Pradesh CM Launches World's First DIVA Marker Vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease

In a significant step towards improving livestock health and disease prevention, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu today launched BIOLUMPIVAXIN, the indigenous Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) vaccine of Biovet, a subsidiary of Bharat Biotech, at the Livestock Prosperity Conclave in Vijayawada.

Developed indigenously by ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izzatnagar, and the National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR–NRCE), Hisar, BIOLUMPIVAXIN is a CDSCO-approved, world’s first and safest Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) marker vaccine, which will aid in disease surveillance and protect livestock from Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD). 

Speaking at the launch, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu lauded Biovet for its development and commercialization of this groundbreaking vaccine. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the effective rollout of BIOLUMPIVAXIN, stating that it could significantly contribute to the state's target of 20% livestock growth and promote the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry.

Dr. Krishna Ella, Founder of Biovet and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for launching the vaccine, calling it a crucial step towards eradicating Lumpy Skin Disease. He highlighted the significant contribution of livestock to the national economy and reiterated the company's commitment to protecting this sector and advancing the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision.

BIOLUMPIVAXIN is a live-attenuated marker vaccine developed using the LSD virus strain/Ranchi/2019 from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE), Hisar, in collaboration with Biovet. Extensive testing at ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and ICAR-NRCE has confirmed the vaccine's quality, safety, and efficacy, meeting global standards. The DIVA marker technology allows for serological differentiation between naturally infected and vaccinated animals, a critical tool for effective disease management. 

The vaccine is the result of three years of dedicated research by scientists at NRCE, led by Dr. Naveen Kumar (now Director, NIV-Pune) under the leadership of Dr. B. N. Tripathi (former DDG, Animal Sciences, ICAR, now Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Jammu). ICAR and its scientists made significant contributions and played a crucial role in the development of this collaborative, world-class vaccine for animal health.

The vaccine requires a single annual dose for cattle and buffaloes above three months of age and is available in multi-dose vials ranging from 25 to 100 doses. It maintains stability at a storage temperature of 2-8°C. Biovet's production facilities in Bengaluru can produce 500 million doses annually, ensuring a sustainable supply.

Lumpy Skin Disease has caused significant economic losses in India, with major outbreaks in 2019 and 2022 leading to the deaths of approximately 200,000 cattle and impacting the milk production capabilities of millions more. The disease causes high fever and painful skin nodules, potentially proving fatal and contaminating milk.

The Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has reported a 10% growth in the livestock sector over the past nine years, contributing over 30% to the total agriculture and allied sector, up from 24.36%. The introduction of BIOLUMPIVAXIN is expected to have a transformative impact on the health of cattle and the resilience of the dairy sector across the country.